Posted on May 28, 2015
Why don't all members of the Air Force have to be fully qualified to be a rifleman in case of hostile events?
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I have noticed through the years of being in the Air Force (Security Forces member here) that most people in the Air Force are clueless when it comes to M-4/M-16/M-9. This is outrageous! What are they supposed to do if the enemy comes knocking on our door step and everyone needs to fight. I have taught classes on the M-4 with communication airmen and have seen them completely mess up clearing out the weapon, loading it (magazine upside down or rounds the wrong way), and just completely incapable of achieving a zero on target after four rounds of firing. I am a big fan of how the Army and Marines teach that your are always a rifleman first. It almost seems like some of the Airmen don't expect to carry a weapon (ummmm why did you join the military in the first place)? I wish the Air Force would pick up on this to make us a more combat ready force. But, enough of me what are your thoughts?
Rifleman
3P: Security Forces
Air Force
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 914
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I think you are out of touch. Kinda of funny that I had to requalify every couple of years on the M-16/M-4 and got Marksmen. We have deployed people in my unit to many places that you needed your weapon to include some of the first Truck Convoys in Iraq.
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Cause the airforce has a corporate identity vs a warrior military one. I regularly see e3 call their staff ncos by their first names. I seen their members tell their command they refuse tdy orders or they don't want to transfer to a new base and such.
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After my active duty Air Force (70 - 74), I did 28 years in the Air National Guard. I was in a RED HORSE unit and there, everyone was proficient with weapons. Having the task of constructing an airfield and billets, RH units were self-contained insofar as security, medical, services and other areas. Admittedly on active duty, I was not so proficient but I was in SAC and doing tasks relative to keeping missile Launch Control Facilities online.
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I along with many other airmen have said often that we send our officers to battle. Air Force sends the fighter jets, bombers and cargo to the war zones. Most of the air crews are officers. The rest of us remain on the ground and wait to receive returning aircraft only to prepare them for the next flight. Although as a firefighter I have been trained on the M-16 and the .38 revolver. We rarely had a need to carry one. The pilots and crew are trained in case they crash behind enemy lines. Just in case they survive the crash they might be able to protect themselves from capture.
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Every person serves as a part of a greater team. I am ironically confused by the argument that people who repair and/or fly fighter jets all too often struggle with and fail to grasp the complexities of the M16 platform. Yeah, we should all be trained on what every person on the team does, but that is the extent of it. I have enough faith that if I can help control the skies, there are others who have it all covered on the ground.
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What a stunningly prejudiced post capturing the inferiority complex of the all the ground forces in the world. The Air Force doesn’t have the mental capability to handle an M4 so they fix fighter jets instead. Each man and woman serves in their best capacity. For some that is pointing a fire stick. For others it is launching things into space. But I will confess I cannot generate as much condescension (have someone look up the word for you) as the OP did and for that I am humbled.
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How much of a clue do you have with regards to minuteman missile operations?
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I joined the AF in 1959 and we went to the range, I think,three times in seven years. When I got my orders to Thailand, in 1968, I went to Aberline(sp) Texas for three days to get indoctrinated in the M-16. When I got to Udorn the first sergeant gave me a card with a number on it. If the base was overrun (never happened) I had to go to the OR and there was a conex outside to pick up my weapon. We didn’t even get combat pay! Imagine that?
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The AF is smart enough to set up operations far from the enemy. Now I still think they should qualify on weapons for the random chance they have to defend themselves. If we are in another world war, everyone is at risk.
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I'm not Air Force, but I would think some basic principles apply. As an aviator experienced in command of aviation units, I did not attempt to keep my people qualified as infantry, however, I did expect them to be capable of defending themselves and our positions if necessary. Your unit is responsible for security, but that doesn't mean you are the only people responsible for security. Your CO should be coordinating with his seniors and other units to determine normal and extreme responsibilities and other COs should ensure their people are prepared to fulfill those responsibilities. If other units identify weaknesses in their capabilities to fulfill security requirements, your "experts" should be available for assistance in addressing those weaknesses. My wife is not an infantryman, but she is capable of responding to extreme situation safely if required.
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